After being shut down for nearly nine hours... the westbound lane of Interstate 80 from Lime Ridge to Buckhorn is reopen to traffic. It was closed shortly after 1 O'clock Monday when a garbage truck rammed the rear of a tractor – trailer setting off a five vehicle pile – up just west of the Lightstreet interchange. The driver of the garbage truck was trapped in his cap and died at the scene. A Pennsylvania State Police accident reconstruction team spent hours trying to figure out what happened and take measurements of the scene. No word on the identity of the driver or why he ran into the rear of the tractor – trailer. We'll have more on the morning news during the Tuesday edition of the News Radio / 930 WHLM Morning Buzz.

Fairgrounds Shooting

It will now be up to Columbia County District Attorney Tom Leipold as to weather charges will be filed against a vendor at this weekend's Gun Show at the Fairgrounds. 25 – year old Krista Gearhart of Orangeville is recovering at home... after a weapon accidentally discharged... the bullet striking Gerhart in the leg. The weapon went off when vendor Geoffrey Hawk was demonstrating a concealed carry holster using a real weapon... instead one made of plastic. Ms. Gearhart was taken to Geisinger in Danville... where she was treated for her wound and released.

Biker Fatal

An Elysburg biker is dead... and his wife in critical condition after the motorcycle they were on collided with a deer Sunday. 58 – year old John Capozello was taken to Geisinger Medical Center where he died. His wife, Cindy was critically injured and also taken to Geisinger. The Press – Enterprise is reporting in Monday's edition... Capozello was southbound on Route 487... south of Catawissa... when a deer ran into the path of his Harley – Davidson. He was Life Flighted to Geisinger. The accident shut a section of Route 487 as authorities investigated the crash.

State Budget
“Gimmick” is the word of the day in Harrisburg as state lawmakers prepare to pass a budget loaded with one - time cash shifts and no new sustainable revenue sources. The state House and Senate could take final budget votes Monday, possibly getting a spending plan to the governor's desk before Monday night's deadline - but the proposal that passed the Senate Appropriations Committee Sunday night is under fire for increasing spending and cutting business taxes without providing any sustained revenue to back it up beyond this year. lawmakers are relying on one-time cash shifts and reserves to fill in hundreds of millions of dollars in line items...

Pension Reform
it's not what Governor Corbett has been asking for, but state Senators are looking at a watered down pension reform plan. Governor Corbett has been calling for comprehensive pension reform for state and public school employees since he took office in 2011. The drum beat got louder in this budget season as the governor tied the issue to the budget process. Sunday night, the Senate Appropriations Committee advanced a bill, but it would only apply to elected officials, including lawmakers, row officers, governors and judges...moving them from a defined plan to a 401-k style retirement upon re-election or retention. A final vote could come today...

Flood Recovery Grant

Another step in flood recovery has been approved by Bloomsburg Town Council. This time it's a million dollars available through the Home Investment Program Grant through the Pennsylvania Department of Economic Development. Town Administrator Bill Lowthart says the program is aimed at owner – occupied housing rehabilitation. Lowthart says the program is income based... and is designed for those flooded three years ago to bring their home up to code. Want more information... give Bill Lowthart a call.

Life Flight

Danville – based Geisinger Health System has expanded it's Life Flight helicopter fleet by one. The program recently taking delivery of a American Eurocopter EC-145... a state of the art chopper flying critically ill or injured patients within the Geisinger system. For Operations Manager Jerry Splitt... it comes down to standardization of aircraft. Life Flight has been operating the past 33 years... and this is the first time all five helicopters in the program have been the same make and model. Splitt says there are two other helicopters used for back – up in case one of the EC-145's is down for maintenance.

Congressman Barletta

Congressman Lou Barletta of Hazleton says he will be heading to the U.S. border with Mexico to attend a field hearing of the House Homeland Security Committee. Barletta will discuss the growing crisis of illegal immigrant children at the border. While there, Barletta will seek answers to questions that raise serious issues of national security, health, and what are apparent human trafficking infractions.

New Fees

Some new driver and vehicle fees will take effect July 1st as PennDOT continues to implement the transportation funding law. This round of fee increases primarily affects specialty and commercial vehicles. But the cost of a replacement license plate will go up by 3 dollars 50 cents and the one-time cost of vanity plates will rise 56 dollars. PennDOT says most of the fees have not been adjusted in more than a decade. Extra money raised by the transportation law goes to fix roads and bridges in PA.

Locust Gap Fire

Northumberland County Firemen fought a weekend blaze which displaced eleven people over the weekend. The fire breaking out Sunday morning on Main Street in Locust Gap. Three homes were damaged. The fire in Locust Gap is under investigation

Final Mass

A final mass yesterday at the Holy Savior Church in Wilkes – Barre... now that the church is being shuttered by the Scranton Diocese. The building has been deteriorating over the past few years... and parishioners will now go to near – by Catholic church of mass. The church is up for sale... and many believe it will be demolished when sold.

Escapee

A Luzerne County Correctional Facility inmate remains on the loose. Authorities say Luise Feliciano got out of the minimum custody unit on Saturday... jumping over a fence. Feliciano was in the facility after being sentenced for possession of a control substance.